English as an Additional Language/Dialect - EAL/D

At Coffs Harbour High School we are proud of our culturally and linguistically diverse community. Students and staff at our school come from diverse cultural contexts and come from over 44 different language backgrounds and from over 35 different countries of birth. We recognise that our diversity makes us unique and as a school we take the opportunity to celebrate and provide opportunities for our LBOTE and EALD students.

Support for all EAL/D students

The Coffs Harbour High School EALD team is made up Ms Mason, Ms Rogers, Ms Chaseling and Ms Swift who can assist with EALD support across all subjects. We also have our wonderful SLSOs who are available to support in class with translation and to talk to parents when needed. We have Ms Khatoun (Arabic, Kurdish Kurmanji/Ezidi), Mr Gilbert (Anuak and Swahili) and Ms Kirshma (Farsi).

For our newly arrived students, English language learning is supported through placement in our Intensive English Class (IEC) where students may spend up to a year learning the basics of English. From there students are supported in mainstream classes with EALD team teachers as the progress through the 7-12 EALD Learning Progressions. We also run Homework Club on Thursday afternoons from 3:30-5:00pm.

EALD Students at Coffs Harbour High School are given several opportunities throughout the year to celebrate their culture through events such as Harmony Week, Multicultural Youth Forums and Refugee Week